Improvement in fire-engines



C. W. CLAPP.

FIRE-ENGINE.

Patented March 14, 1876.

BY n'ronms.

N.PETERS, PhOTOLIT wGRAFHER, WASHINGTON, Cl. C.

TTED STATES CLINTON W. OLAPP, OF WAPPINGERS FALLS, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT lN FIRE-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1,741,720, dated March 14, 1876 application filed February 28, 1876.

To all lwhom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLINTON W. CLAPP, of Wappingers Falls, in the county ot' Dutchess and State ot' New York, have invented a new and Improved Fire-Engine, ot' which the following is a specification My invention consists of a couple of receivers for carbonio-acid gas and a steam-pump, so combined and iitted with hose and nozzle for discharging the water and the gas that, by alternately' charging the receiver and working oft' the gas through the pump, the gas can be employed as the motive agent for the pump, and, at the same time, the exhausting gas can be used separately or together with the water for extinguishing the tire.

Figure lis a longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved dre-engine, taken on line x a". Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Fig. 3 is a iront elevation.

A represents the charger 5 B, the gas-gen-` erator; C, the receivers; and D, the pump. The generator is connected by gas-chamber E and pipes F, having cocks G, so that one can be shut ott'. while the other is iilling, and the receivers are connected with the pump by pipes H and I, having cocks J to shut oft' one while the other is communicative with the pump. K is the rexhaust from the steam or gas cylinder, to which a hose and nozzleA can be attached for applying the gas to the tire; and L represents connections for the waterhose. t

The gas is to be generated in' the usual manner from carbonate ot' lime (or any of the carhonates) and sulphuric acid, by the use of' strong cylinders as receivers, to be filled with this elastic gas to the pressure of two-hundred to four hundred pounds per square inch, more or less. This gas is to be used to operate the engine and pun1p,'\vhich are ot'A no prescribed form or kind, but are like any eftlcicnt steam-pump.- The water from the pump is to be conducted and applied in the usual way for the extinguishing f iiames.

The exhaust of the carbonio-acid gas from the engine is to be conducted in suitable hose, to be used 1n`a ]udicious and efficient manner for the extinguishing of flames, as it can be applied in buildings, partitions, under the iioors', in cellars, in attics, or in any difficult place of access, and thus confining the lires to the limits in which they originate.

The great advantage of this lire-engine over all others is its efticiency. It will throw as much, and probably more, water than any other, because' ot' the great pressure of gas to operate the pump. But the carbonio-acid gas exhausted from the engine, properly conducted and applied, would put outI more tire than the water can. -It will not freeze at 100O below zero, will be instantaneous in `its work, as the cylinders are4 always to be charged with the gas up to their proper capacity at all times; therefore the engine will always be ready to work at its greatest capacity. As one cylinder is exhausted the generator can be set in operation to replenish it, and thus a steady supply is attained. These cylinders can be made of any number or capacity, as the demand may require.

These engines are safer than steam, as they are not subject to the dangers that boilers are exposed to from low water and other causes. A well-constructed safety-valve will be a sure guard against explosion.

These engines will be lighter, consequently more portable, for manutac'tories, warehouses, public buildings, and ships. They may be made either stationary or portable in every and all cases, and will be efiicacious and instant in their work and operation.

The carbonic gas can be conducted into the holds ot' ships, and, it entirely tilled, would do no damage other than extinguishing any active or smoldering lires.

TheI carbonic-acid gas is easily generated, in retorts or generators lined with lead, in vast quantities, at a triliing cost, from marbledust and sulphuric acid. Though it costs more than steam, yet its eiiciency and prom pti ness more than compensate for the [extra cost.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isl i An improved fire-engine, consisting of gasgenerators A B, two or more receivers G, and steam-pump, combinedand arranged to afford a continuous supply. of gasfor working the pump by charging and exhausting the receivers alternately, substantially as set forth.

' CLINTON W. OLAPP.

Witnesses:

KAY BRowNsoN, W. HENRY REEsE.

ATENT QEEIGE, y 

